Sherriff strolls into town for 10 top amateur pipers

Ten of North America’s top amateur solo pipers are rolling into Hamilton, Ontario, for the 19th annual George Sherriff Memorial Amateur Invitational Solo Piping Competition on Saturday, November 15th at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church.

One of the world’s most prestigious solo contests for non-professional pipers, “The Sherriff” is often a transitional event as they move to the professional or open grade. The 10 contestants are nominated by their home associations and representation is weighted by the depth of competition in their areas.

• Tyler Bridge, Ontario (Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario)
• James Dyson, Nova Scotia (Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Association)
• Andrew Hahn, California (Western United States Pipe Band Association)
• Tyler Harris, Ontario (Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario)
• Liam Hilder, British Columbia (British Columbia Pipers Association)
• Andrew Hutton, Ontario (Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario)
• Kaitlin Kimove, Ontario (Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario)
• Kevin McLean, British Columbia (British Columbia Pipers Association)
• Sean Regan, Virginia (Eastern United States Pipe Band Association)
• Jack Williamson, Kansas (Midwest Pipe Band Association)

There are three events that comprise the Sherriff, beginning with 6/8 Marches at 10 am; Piobaireachd at 1 pm; and MSR at 7:30 pm.

Last year’s Sherriff winner was Aaron Stone of Auburn, Washington, and past winners include Glenn Brown, Faye Henderson and Alex Gandy, all of whom have gone on to successful careers in the Professional category.

The competition is organized by the well-known piper Bob Worrall and team of volunteers. Judges for all events at this year’s Sherriff Memorial are Andrew Berthoff, Toronto; Patricia Henderson, Kirriemuir, Scotland; and Iain MacDonald, Regina, Saskatchewan. Glenna Mackay-Johnstone will be the fear-an-tighe.

The competition is named in honour of the late George Sherriff, who committed much of his life to teaching piping in the Hamilton area.

Videos of MSR performances from the 2013 Sherriff are available as a playlist at the pipes|drums YouTube channel, and the magazine will again brig readers coverage this year’s event.

pipes|drums is once again a financial sponsor of the competition.